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Five in his last three games, seven in his last six - Vydra has more Championship goals this season already than he scored in his previous two campaigns in the competition combined.

"Did I say 20 or 25 (goals this season)? I'm not quite sure what I said!" Rowett smiled when I asked him about Vydra after Derby had dispatched Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium - a venue that held many painful memories for the Rams down the years.

Derby had picked up just one point from a possible 30 in their previous 10 visits and they had failed to keep a clean sheet in 17 visits to Middlesbrough in all competitions stretching back to March 1989 when Peter Shilton was in goal.

Derby County celebrate Matej Vydra's second goal against Middlesbrough at the Riverside (Image: Andy Clarke)

Saturday brought a clean sheet, three goals and three points; safe to say it was a very good and highly-enjoyable afternoon's work.

If the impressive wins at Norwich and at Leeds provided a reminder to the rest of the Championship about Derby's credentials, winning at Middlesbrough sent out a loud and clear message - Derby are in the promotion mix.

Of course, nothing is won or lost after 18 matches over a 46-game course, but Derby's form cannot be ignored.

They have lost just once in 11 matches, suffered defeat only four times in the League and they are unbeaten in six on the road.

Yes, Middlesbrough had to play for more than half an hour with 10 men after Daniel Ayala was sent off, but Derby were well on their way to a win at that stage.

Rowett's team is looking better balanced than it did earlier this season. A structure has emerged and it is being accompanied by a sprinkle of sparkle.

And the sparkle being provided by top scorer Vydra is the brightest right now.

His emphatic finish smashed high past Darren Randolph gave Derby the lead after 13 minutes - a minute after the brilliant reactions of Rams goalkeeper Scott Carson had denied Middlesbrough the lead.

Ayala then pressed the self-destruct button. He ploughed into Nugent again and this time there was no escape for the Boro defender. A second yellow card was followed by a red. Not only had he let himself down with his poor decision making but also his team mates and his manager.

Vydra completed his treble in the 63rd-minute when - eye on the ball and displaying sound technique - he volleyed into an unguarded net after Randolph horribly sliced his attempted clearance.

Derby had in recent seasons been accustomed to facing Aitor Karanka's solid Middlesbrough side that appeared to have the Rams' number and made very few mistakes.

The same could not be said for Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Tom Huddlestone in action for Derby County against Middlesbrough (Image: Andy Clarke)

"Talk about shooting yourself in the foot," said manager Garry Monk. "It was so disappointing to go from playing that well in the first half, where we played some of our best football of the season."

Middlesbrough did make it hard for themselves, but Derby's pressure forced mistakes. Take nothing away from the Rams because they were deserved winners.

Those two, along with Tom Lawrence and Andreas Weimann were full of willing and unselfish running and movement. That troubled Middlesbrough's defence which was always a possibility, and why naming an unchanged team was the right decision by Rowett.

Boro centre backs Ayala and Ben Gibson were dragged into areas where they are not comfortable, and it showed, and while their full backs Cyrus Christie and Fabio offer a threat going forward, they are vulnerable defensively.

The table makes good reading - and will make even better reading should Derby can take full advantage of their game in hand tomorrow night.

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KEY MOMENTS

Time Line

Middlesbrough 0-3 Derby

12 mins

Middlesbrough go close to taking the lead. Cyrus Christie's long throw is flicked on by Daniel Ayala and Britt Assombalonga's close-range effort is kept out by Scott Carson, who makes a brilliant save on his line.

13 mins

Derby take the lead and it's Matej Vydra's 10th goal of the season. He links with Tom Lawrence and smashes a shot high past Darren Randolph. Emphatic finish.

22 mins

Lucky escape for Derby. Carson fails to deal with Stewart Downing's corner and the ball drops close to the line before Richard Keogh clears.

29 mins

Tom Huddlestone picks out Lawrence, who cuts inside and drives a low shot straight at Randolph.

34 mins

Back come Boro, and Assombalonga heads narrowly wide of the far post from Downing’s in-swinging corner.

36 mins

Another Boro raid and Marvin Johnson fizzes a low ball in from the left that Carson is forced to palm away.

45 mins

Boro continue to finish the half strongly and Fabio heads over at the back post from Christie's centre.

47 mins

Derby double their lead. Boro present the ball straight to Nugent, he squares to Vydra who is brought down by Ayala for a penalty. Vydra sends Randolph the wrong way from the spot.

59 mins

Red card ... Ayala receives a second yellow for a foul on Nugent and his marching orders. Middlesbrough down to ten men with half an hour to go.

63 mins

Vydra completes his hat trick to make it 3-0 to Derby. Boro keeper Randolph fluffs his clearance and Vydra pounces to guide his volley into the empty net.

84 mins

Chance for Boro substitute, and former Rams' loanee, Patrick Bamford, and his slices his shot horribly wide much to the delight of the Derby fans.

89 mins

Big chance for Lawrence as he races clear on a pass from Chris Martin but his attempted finish is at a good height for Randolph to save.